NJC gives Judge 14 days to respond to bribery allegations involving lawyer

According to a letter with reference number NJC/F.3/FHC.49/1/421 and dated March 16, 2016, Justice Yunusa was given 14 days to submit his response to allegations of judicial abuse, compromise and misconduct leveled against him by the Civil Society Network Against Corruption (CSNAC).

The letter was signed by the Chief Justice of Nigeria and Chairman of the National Judicial Council, Justice Mahmud Mohammed.

“I forward herewith a petition dated 21st December, 2015 against you by Mr. Olanrewaju Suraju, Chairman, Civil Society Network Against Corruption, on the above subject matter.

“The petition speaks for itself. I shall be glad to have your comments within 14 days from the date of your receipt of this letter, please,” Justice Mohammed's letter read in part.

In a petition dated December 15, 2015, CSNAC had accused the judge of consistent refusal to abide by judicial precedents, laid down by superior courts, in granting orders and injunctions against the EFCC.

READ: Rickey Tarfa denies bribing judge with N5.3M

It said the actions of Justice Yinusa were serving as “leeway for unscrupulous and corrupt individuals, who will stop at nothing to truncate their arrest, investigation and prosecution by the appropriate law enforcement agencies, to render our criminal law ineffective, as well as allowing corruption fester in the society.”

“The grant of the orders of mandatory and perpetual injunctions by Justice Yunusa against the EFCC is a grave departure from the established principles in the mentioned cases, as laid down by the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal which are binding on the Federal High Court, being a lower court.

“Honourable Justice Yunusa, by the grant of these orders, has stripped the Economic and Financial Crimes Commissions of its constitutional powers as a law enforcement agency, as well its powers under the enabling law, the Economic and Financial Crimes (Establishment) Act, LFN 2004, a Federal Legislation.

“It is also a gross abuse of his powers as a judicial officer,” the petition also stated.

According to report, Justice Yunusa is yet to respond to the NJC query.